The holidays are here and I am learning to ask for help when I really need it.

On Monday, Nov. 25, my daughter, Marcia, came over to have breakfast with me and I asked her to help me move my two couches in the living room so I could vacuum under them. I felt so relieved and happy that now the room would be ready for the Christmas tree.

On Tuesday, Nov. 26, my daughter, Kathy, came over as we planned to bake the pies. Kathy brought her Joy of Cooking book that I gave her on her 18th birthday. She also brought homemade butter. It reminded her of when we had our Jersey cow, Buttercup, and always made our own butter and had enough to freeze some.

I did buy Granny Smith apples, as my mother, Martha Longacker, always said they were the best for pies. We only made apple pies, as they are the real favorite.

I like pumpkin but I’m on the short list for that. We made three very large apple pies but it took us from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a breakfast and lunch break.

We surely wouldn’t make a profit but they are the most delicious pies. The crust is superb. I froze two of the pies for Christmas because my daughter, Marcia bought me 2 pies from Emma Cleary’s. She bought a chocolate and an apple. they were good but not as good as our homemade pies.

On Wednesday, I cook butternut squash that my son, Danny, grew and reheated it for Thanksgiving.

I went with Brandon to pick up Nichole and Samson. They had to be back at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving so we had dinner at 1 p.m. I got up at 5:30 a.m. and had the turkey stuffed and in the oven by 6 a.m.

I had sautéed my onions and celery and cubed my bread for the stuffing the night before.

We had turkey and all the old fashioned sides for our dinner. We went around the table and expressed our thanks.

My guests were my daughter, Kathy, granddaughter, Kassi Neal and Jared Martin, grandson, Brandon Clark and his friend, Jenn Smith and his children Nichole and Samson. There was also my grandson, Miles Pangburn and his wife, Melissa, my granddaughter, Danielle Ricketts, Matt Babcok, and their daughter, Zoey, and our friend, Ray Rhodes. My day was complete.

On Friday, my daughter, Marcia and I shopped for a baby shower gift and also bought groceries.

The shower was that evening for my great-niece, Jocelyn Basturescu, who lives in Maryland. She grew up in Westerlo and Berne but married and moved away. She expects a baby boy Jan. 31. The shower was given by Jocelyn’s mother, Veronica Weigand, her sister, Jenna Pleines and her grandmother, Patti Sykala.

The hall at Thompson’s Lake Church was decorated in blue. There was a beautiful cake decorated with jungle animals made by cousin, Donna Banchard.

There were crock-pots with Ziti and a bean casserole, a meat tray, rolls and fruits and appetizers. Enough food to make everyone full and happy.

Guests came from near and far and Jocelyn and her husband, Sergies, traveled back to Maryland with a car full of baby items.

On Saturday, I made turkey soup and then became really frustrated. My electric burner refused to shut off. My grandson, Brandon, an electrician, worked on it carefully for 2 hours but it was stubborn. We shut off the circuit breaker. I turned it back on 2 hours later and that burner was off. Now I don’t want to use that burner. I have 4 other burners.

Sunday was church and we had a delicious brunch for coffee hour. Then everyone decorated the church for Christmas.

We came back to my house and Brandon and Samson put up my Christmas tree and turned the lights on. I’ll finish decorating it and also meditate in the beauty of the tree and get in the Christmas spirit.

Christmas on the Hill

On Saturday, Dec. 7, Christmas on the Hill craft and vendor event will be held in the Thompson’s Lake Reformed Church hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be served and there will be a bake sale. Come and shop and brighten your Christmas with great gifts.

Advent breakfast

There will be a Women’s Advent Breakfast at the Unionville Reformed Church on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 9:30 a.m. There will be a time for worship in inspiration prior to the breakfast. All women are encouraged to attend.

Bible study

The next adult Bible study, led by the Rev. Bob Hoffman will be on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m., at the church hall of the Knox Reformed Church. It’s a great time to join in the fun, as they begin II Peter. All are welcome.